U.S. patent number 7,541,539 [Application Number 12/169,811] was granted by the patent office on 2009-06-02 for wall box mounting apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to AMX LLC. Invention is credited to Phong Le.
United States Patent |
7,541,539 |
Le |
June 2, 2009 |
Wall box mounting apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus and method for mounting a device in a wall box is
provided. The apparatus includes a base plate formed by a front
portion and a plurality of side portions extending to the rear to
define a substantially open rear portion, and a latching mechanism
coupled to the base plate. The front portion is connected to the
device. The base plate is configured to be at least partially
inserted into the wall box. The latching mechanism includes a
frictional engagement member configured to frictionally engage with
the wall box upon insertion into the wall box.
Inventors: |
Le; Phong (Lewisville, TX) |
Assignee: |
AMX LLC (Richardson,
TX)
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Family
ID: |
39684859 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/169,811 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2008 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20080289845 A1 |
Nov 27, 2008 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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11673285 |
Feb 9, 2007 |
7414193 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
174/66; 174/50;
174/58; 174/63; 174/67; 220/241; 439/535 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K
5/0204 (20130101); Y10S 248/906 (20130101); Y10T
29/5313 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
H02G
3/14 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;174/50,58,63,66,67
;220/241,242,4.02,3.8 ;439/535,538 ;248/906 ;200/304,330 ;307/139
;315/291 ;D8/353 ;D10/108,116,118 ;D13/162,164,169,171 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
US. Appl. No. 29/270,392, filed Dec. 20, 2006, Dukerschein. cited
by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 29/184,318, filed Sep. 5, 2007, Rashid Skaf. cited
by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 29/284,319, filed Sep. 5, 2007, Rashid Skaf. cited
by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 29/284,321, filed Sep. 5, 2007, Rashid Skaf. cited
by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 29/284,322, filed Sep. 5, 2007, Rashid Skaf. cited
by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 29/284,323, filed Sep. 5, 2007, Rashid Skaf. cited
by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 60/715,330, filed Feb. 9, 2007, Farmer et al. cited
by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/673,285, filed Feb. 9, 2007, Phong Le. cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Patel; Dhiru R
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP Larson;
Karl L.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/673,285, entitled "WALL BOX MOUNTING
APPARATUS," filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Feb.
9, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,414,193, hereby incorporated by
reference, having a common inventor as the present document.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An apparatus for mounting a device in a wall box, comprising: a
base plate formed by a front portion and a plurality of side
portions extending to the rear to define a substantially open rear
portion, wherein the front portion is connected to the device, and
wherein the base plate is configured to be at least partially
inserted into the wall box; and a latching mechanism coupled to the
base plate, wherein the latching mechanism includes a frictional
engagement member configured to frictionally engage with the wall
box upon insertion into the wall box, wherein the latching
mechanism includes one or more ridges that elastically deflect to
catch and rest against corresponding one or more ridges of the wall
box upon insertion into the wall box.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism is
configured to engage and disengage with the wall box by elastic
deflection of the latching mechanism.
3. The apparatus claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism is coupled
to an exterior surface of the base plate.
4. The apparatus claim 1, further comprising at least one magnet,
the at least one magnet being connected to an interior wall of the
wall box, wherein the at least one magnet is operably configured to
magnetically engage the base plate.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the base plate includes a
plurality of side walls, and wherein at least one of the plurality
of side portions comprises an elastically deflectable portion
configured to permit the at least one of the plurality of side
portions to move in an outward direction relative to one of the
plurality of side walls when the at least one magnet engages the
base plate.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one
magnet, the at least one magnet being connected to the base plate,
wherein the at least one magnet is operably configured to
magnetically engage the wall box.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the base plate includes a
plurality of side walls, and wherein at least one of the plurality
of side portions comprises an elastically deflectable portion
configured to permit the at least one of the plurality of side
portions to move in an outward direction relative to one of the
plurality of side walls when the at least one magnet engages the
wall box.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more ridges of the
latching mechanism comprises one or more bulbous portions and the
one or more ridges of the wall box comprises one or more slots.
9. An apparatus for mounting a device in a wall box, comprising: a
base plate formed by a front portion and a plurality of side
portions extending to the rear to define a substantially open rear
portion, wherein the front portion is connected to a device, and
wherein the base plate is configured to be at least partially
inserted into the wall box; and a latching mechanism coupled to the
device, wherein the latching mechanism includes a frictional
engagement member configured to frictionally engage with the wall
box upon insertion into the wall box, wherein the latching
mechanism includes one or more ridges that elastically deflect to
catch and rest against corresponding one or more ridges of the wall
box upon insertion into the wall box.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the latching mechanism is
configured to engage and disengage with the wall box by elastic
deflection of the latching mechanism.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the latching mechanism is
coupled to an exterior surface of the device.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising at least one
magnet, the at least one magnet being connected to an interior wall
of the wall box, wherein the at least one magnet is operably
configured to magnetically engage the base plate.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the base plate includes a
plurality of side walls, and wherein at least one of the plurality
of side portions comprises an elastically deflectable portion
configured to permit the at least one of the plurality of side
portions to move in an outward direction relative to one of the
plurality of side walls when the at least one magnet engages the
base plate.
14. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising at least one
magnet, the at least one magnet being connected to the base plate,
wherein the at least one magnet is operably configured to
magnetically engage the wall box.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the base plate includes a
plurality of side walls, and wherein at least one of the plurality
of side portions comprises an elastically deflectable portion
configured to permit the at least one of the plurality of side
portions to move in an outward direction relative to one of the
plurality of side walls when the at least one magnet engages the
wall box.
16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more ridges of the
latching mechanism comprises one or more bulbous portions and the
one or more ridges of the wall box comprises one or more slots.
17. A method for mounting a device in a wall box, comprising:
connecting a base plate to the device, the base plate being formed
by a front portion and a plurality of side portions extending to a
rear to define a substantially open rear portion, wherein the front
portion is connected to the device, and wherein the base plate is
configured to be at least partially inserted into a wall box; and
coupling a latching mechanism to the base plate by frictional
engagement, wherein the latching mechanism includes a frictional
engagement member configured to frictionally engage with the wall
box upon insertion into the wall box, and wherein the latching
mechanism includes one or more ridges that elastically deflect to
catch and rest against corresponding one or more ridges of the wall
box upon insertion into the wall box.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising magnetically
engaging the base plate using at least one magnet connected to an
interior wall of the wall box.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related in general to the field of wall box
mountings. More particularly, the invention is related to magnetic
and/or friction wall box mountings of devices.
2. Discussion of the Background
A wall box is typically mounted on a wood beam during the
construction of a home or office and is usually used to house a
light switch and its associated wires and/or circuitry. Wall boxes
today generally suffer from various disadvantages related to
mounting. For instance, problems can arise if the wall box is
skewed in any way after it has been mounted. In such a situation,
the resulting light switch, light switch plate, or other device
positioned in the wall box will appear to be similarly skewed
resulting in an unaesthetic appearance. Additionally, if the depth
of the wall box mounting in the wall is too deep, the supplied
screws may be too short to affix the light switch, light switch
plate, or other device to the wall box. Further, if the mounted
wall box is not parallel to the wall's surface, the mounting screws
can become cross threaded, because the screw is not received
perpendicularly in a receiving nut or tapped hole, leading to
eventual failure of the mounting system. Problems may also arise in
situations where a device, including, without limitation, an
infrared receiver or an infrared plate, is positioned in a skewed
manner in the wall box. For example, the performance of the device
can be affected if any equipment in communication with the device
cannot adequately communicate because the device is not mounted
properly.
Thus, as noted above, there currently exist numerous deficiencies
in wall box mountings that are known in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus for mounting a device in a wall box that includes a base
plate formed by a front portion and a plurality of side portions
extending to the rear to define a substantially open rear portion,
and a latching mechanism coupled to the base plate. The front
portion is connected to the device. The base plate is configured to
be at least partially inserted into the wall box. The latching
mechanism includes a frictional engagement member configured to
frictionally engage with the wall box upon insertion into the wall
box.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus
for mounting a device in a wall box that includes a base plate
formed by a front portion and a plurality of side portions
extending to the rear to define a substantially open rear portion,
and a latching mechanism coupled to the device. The front portion
is connected to a device. The base plate is configured to be at
least partially inserted into the wall box. The latching mechanism
includes a frictional engagement member configured to frictionally
engage with the wall box upon insertion into the wall box.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide method
for mounting a device in a wall box that includes connecting a base
plate to the device, and coupling a latching mechanism to the base
plate by frictional engagement. The base plate is formed by a front
portion and a plurality of side portions extending to the rear to
define a substantially open rear portion. The front portion is
connected to the device. The base plate is configured to be at
least partially inserted into a wall box. The latching mechanism
includes a frictional engagement member configured to frictionally
engage with the wall box upon insertion into the wall box.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of
the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the
same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a base plate according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the base plate according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an exploded rear view of the base plate coupled to a
device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the base plate according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the base plate coupled to the device
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a top view of the base plate coupled to a device
partially inserted into a magnetically engageable wall box
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the base plate coupled to the device
according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the base plate coupled to the device
according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a rear view of the base plate according to an alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a cutaway section of the base plate according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the cutaway section shown in FIG. 10
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a top view of a latching mechanism coupled to a device
partially inserted into a wall box according to an alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a side view of the latching mechanism according to an
alternate embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a rear view of the base plate according to an alternate
embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the cutaway section shown in FIG. 10
according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several
views, preferred embodiments of the present invention are
described.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a front view of a base plate 10 according
to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The base plate
10 generally has a rectangular configuration defined by a front
portion 14 and side portions 16 (16a, 16b, 16c and 16d) extending
to the rear to define a substantially open rear portion 12. The
front portion 14 extends along a center axis (A). The front portion
14 is operably configured to be coupled to a device 28, and secured
within a magnetically engageable wall box 40 by, at least in part,
means of a magnetic force between the base plate 10 and the
magnetically engageable wall box 40. The coupling between the front
portion 14 and the device 28 may be by any means known in the art,
including, without limitation, a screw, a bolt, a pin, a clip, an
adhesive, a solder, or the like. For example, the front portion 14
may be fixedly mounted to the device 28 via screws (not shown)
protruding through one or more screw holes 27. Alternatively, one
or more components of the base plate 10 may be formed as a portion
of the device 28 itself. Additionally, more than one device 28 may
be coupled to one or more base plates 10 which may be operably
secured within the magnetically engageable wall box 40.
The front portion 14, the side portions 16 and the rear portion 12
may be configured as separate components, or any combination
thereof may be formed as portions of a unitary body. Side portions
16 may also include one or more openings 20, such as holes or
perforations, operable to accommodate tie-wraps or other objects to
assist in securing wires, cables, or other elements attached to or
positioned near a device 28. Obviously, side portions 16 may
include any number of openings 20 without departing from the scope
of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the
present invention is not limited to the above identified connecting
components and that other connecting components may be used within
the scope of the present invention. Each of the base plate 10
components may be made from any material, including, without
limitation, metal, plastic, composite materials, or the like. In
one configuration, the components of the base plate 10 are made
from metal from pressure casting or stamping.
One or more magnets 18 may be coupled to one or more of the side
portions 16. Such coupling between each magnet 18 and its
respective side portion 16 may be fixed or displaceable. The fixed
coupling may be by any means known in art, including, without
limitation, a screw, a bolt, a pin, a clip, an adhesive, a solder,
or the like. The displaceable coupling may be by any means known in
art, including, without limitation, a pin, a retractor, a spring, a
hinge, a living hinge, a rivet, a screw, a bolt, or any combination
thereof, or the like. Such displaceable coupling may also be by
means of an elastically deflectable portion of the side portions
16.
In one arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 2, 10 and 11, each magnet 18
is adjustably coupled to its respective side portion 16 by a
retractor pin 22 inserted through openings 23 in the side portion
16. The adjustable coupling may also include a spring 32 connected
to the retractor pin 22 and configured to provide retractable
resistance thereto, such that each magnet 18 is at least initially
retracted towards its respective side portion 16. However, it is to
be understood that a spring is not required within the scope of the
present invention. In an alternate arrangement, as shown in FIGS.
14 and 15, each magnet 18 is fixedly coupled to its respective
elastically deflectable side portion 16 by a screw, bolt or the
like inserted through openings 23 in the elastically deflectable
side portion 16.
As shown in FIG. 4, the side portions 16 may also include recesses
19 that are larger than the diameter of the magnets 18, such that
at least a portion of each magnet 18 may be retracted interior to
the outer surface of its respective side portion 16. As shown in
FIGS. 1-6, the magnets 18 may be adjustably coupled to side
portions 16a and 16b, operatively allowing movement in a direction
(B) that is transverse to the center axis (A), such that the
magnets move in an outward direction away from the base plate 10
and towards a magnetically engageable wall box 40. Alternatively,
as shown in FIG. 7, the magnets 18 may also be adjustably coupled
to side portions 16c and 16d, operatively allowing movement in a
direction along the center axis (A). It is to be understood that
any number of magnets 18 may be coupled to any one or more of the
side walls 16, the front portion 14, the rear portion 12, or any
combination thereof within the scope of the present invention.
Thereby, a device 28 coupled to the base plate 10 may be easily
aligned and/or adjusted in a proper orientation with respect to the
magnetically engageable wall box 40 and the wall.
The front portion 14 and/or one or more of the side portions 16 may
include a cut-out portion 24 operable to accommodate elements
attached to or positioned near the device, to assist in the
dissipation of heat from the device 28 and/or to accommodate wires
or other cabling. However, it is to be understood that the front
portion 14 and/or one or more of the side portions 16 may also be
configured without cut-out portion 24, as shown in FIG. 9.
Although shown in FIG. 1 as having a rectangular shape, the base
plate 10 may also be arranged in a variety of shapes, including,
without limitation, a square, a rectangular, a octagonal, an oval,
and a circular shape, or the like within the scope of the
invention. Likewise, the cut-out portion may be arranged in a
variety of shapes. The base plate 10 and the cut-out portion 24 may
also be arranged in a variety of thicknesses and sizes.
Additionally, any number of magnets 18 of various shapes,
thicknesses, and sizes may be arranged on any portion of the base
plate 10 in various locations without departing from the scope of
the present invention. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the
magnets may be arranged, respectively, on the rear portion 12 or
any of the side portions 16. Alternatively, one or more of the
magnets 18 may be replaced with magnetized portions of the base
plate 10 itself. For instance, one or more of the side portions 16
may be magnetized. In this configuration, the side portions 16 may
be operatively configured to be adjustable in an outward direction
(A and/or B) away from the base plate 10 and towards a magnetically
engageable wall box 40. In one possible arrangement, the side
portions 16 are adjustably coupled to the front portion 14 using
any means known in the art. In another configuration, the rear
portion 12 is magnetized. In this configuration, the rear portion
12 may be operatively configured to be adjustable in a direction
(C) that is longitudinal to the center axis (A), such that the rear
portion 12 is adjustable in an outward direction (C) away from the
base plate 10 and towards a magnetically engageable wall box 40.
The rear portion 12 may be adjustably coupled to the side portions
16 using any means known in the art.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a rear view of the base plate 10 according
to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown at
cutaway section 26 in FIG. 2, and, in particular, FIG. 10, side
portions 16c and 16d may be extended to overlap neighboring side
portions 16a and 16b. Obviously, other overlap configurations are
possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Such overlap, as shown in cutaway section 26, may operably be
provided such that retractors 22 are more securely coupled to the
side portions 16.
As previously discussed, one or more of the side portions 16 may be
a unitary extension of the front portion 14 formed to the shape
shown in FIG. 2 by any means known in the art, including, without
limitation, molding, pressure casting, stamping, or the like. For
example, FIG. 9 depicts one possible alternate arrangement in which
the side portions 16 are a unitary extension of the front portion
14.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view of the base plate 10 coupled
to a device 28 according to an embodiment of the present invention
is shown. The device 28 may or may not be configured to be coupled
to a switch plate 30 facing or the like. In one possible
configuration, the device 28 houses a circuit (not shown) that
operably provides a communication functionality, including, without
limitation, transferring audio or video signals, operating a light
source, operating a thermostat, or operating other types of
devices. In another configuration, the device 28 itself is the
circuit. The device may also be coupled to, without limitation, a
switch plate, a light switch, an infrared receiver, an infrared
transmitter, an audio control, a light source, a thermostat, a
video control, a multi-media control, a wireless transmitter, an
electronic device or the like. The base plate 10 and the device 28
may be further configured to be secured within a magnetic wall box
40, such that the base plate 10 and the device 28 (and including
any attached switch plate facing or other coupling) is flush with
the wall surface.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view of the base plate 10 coupled
to the device 28 according to an embodiment of the present
invention is shown. Obviously, the overall dimensions of the base
plate 10 and the device 28, including, without limitation, the
size, shape, and thickness thereof, may be altered within the scope
of the present invention as long as the base plate 10 and the
device 28 are able to fit within the magnetically engageable wall
box 40.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, an exploded rear view and top view,
respectively, of the base plate 10 coupled to a device 28 according
to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. FIG. 6 further
shows the base plate 10 and the device 28 partially inserted into a
magnetically engageable wall box 40 according to an embodiment of
the present invention. As the base plate 10 is inserted, the
magnets 18 engage the inside walls of the magnetically engageable
wall box 40. No mounting screws are required to properly position
the switch plate 30 in relation to a wall even if the magnetically
engageable wall box 40 is not properly mounted. The magnetic force
exerted by the magnets 18 is configured such that the base plate 10
and the coupled device 28 (and including any attached switch plate,
facing, or other coupling) may be adjusted after insertion into the
magnetically engageable wall box 40. Further, the magnetic force
exerted by the magnets 18 and/or frictional engagement may be
configured such that it prevents small children from removing the
switch plate 30. Alternatively, at least a portion of the interior
of the magnetically engageable wall box 40 is magnetized instead
of, or in combination with, the magnets 18.
In one embodiment, a base plate 10 includes at least one magnet 18
and at least one spring 32 coupled to the magnet 18. The magnet 18
is configured to allow movement in an outward direction (A, B or C)
away from the base plate 10 when the base plate 10 is placed in a
magnetically engageable wall box 40. The base plate 10 moves
proportionally to a tension of the spring 32. The base plate 10 is
coupled to a device 28, such as a circuit, to provide various
functionality. The functionality may include, without limitation,
receiving audio signals, processing audio signals, transferring
audio signals, receiving video signals, processing video signals,
transferring video signals, operating a light source, operating a
thermostat, operating an electronic device and operating a
mechanical device. The device 28 of the base plate 10 may be
coupled to a switch plate operable to control the device 28. The
magnets 18 are operable to align the device 28 in the magnetically
engageable wall box 40, and to align the switch plate in proximity
to the magnetically engageable wall box 40. The base plate 10 may
also include a cut-out portion.
Referring now to FIG. 12, a top view of a latching mechanism 50
coupled to a device 28 partially inserted into a wall box 54
according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention is
shown. The latching mechanism 50 includes one or more ridge 60 (or
tooth) operatively configured upon insertion to detachably engage
one or more corresponding ridge 56 (or tooth) on at least one
interior surface of the wall box 54. In one configuration, the
latching mechanism 50 is coupled to an exterior surface of the
device 28. Alternatively, the latching mechanism 50 may be coupled
to an exterior surface of the base plate 10. When the device 28 is
inserted into the wall box 54, the latching mechanism 50
elastically deflects in a direction (A) toward the device 28, and
the ridge 60 of the latching mechanism 50 catches and rests against
a ridge 56 of the interior surface of the wall box 54. As such, the
device 28 is firmly positioned within the wall box 54. If the
device 28 is to be removed from the wall box 54, or repositioned
within the wall box 54, the latching mechanism 50 may be depressed
in a direction (A), such that the ridge 60 from the mechanism 50
releases an engaged ridge 56. The latching mechanism 50 may move
back and forth in a direction (A) such that the latching mechanism
50 is retracted when being placed in the wall box 54 or refracted
when being removed from the wall box 54. Obviously, the number,
sizes, shapes and locations of the latching mechanism 50 or the
ridges 56 may differ without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Also, the wall box 54 may be of various sizes
and shapes and may be magnetized or non-magnetized within the scope
of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the
base plate 10 includes the magnets 18 and is connected to the
device 28 such that base plate 10 and the device 28 are secured in
the wall box 54 by both magnetic and frictional engagement. The
magnetic engagement operates as discussed above with respect to
FIGS. 1-11.
Referring now to FIG. 13, a side view of the latching mechanism 50
according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention is
shown. In this configuration, the device 28 is secured to a wall
box 54 by means of frictional engagement Specifically, when the
device 28 is inserted into the wall box 54, at least one ridge 60
(or tooth) catches and rests against one of a series of ridges 56
(or teeth) on an interior portion 62 of the wall box 54. Obviously,
the number, sizes, shapes and locations of the ridge or tooth 60
can differ within the scope of the present invention. Further, an
alternate object, such as one that is more bulbous, may be used
instead of the ridge or tooth 60 and may be placed in a slot
attached to, or a part of, the interior portion 62 (instead of the
series of ridges or teeth 56).
Although an exemplary embodiment of the system of the present
invention has been illustrated in the accompanied drawings and
described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be
understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments
disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements,
modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit
of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.
For example, the capabilities of the invention can be performed
fully and/or partially by a single component or multiple
components. Also, these capabilities may be performed in the
current manner or in a distributed manner and on any device able to
provide and/or receive information. Further, although depicted in a
particular manner, various modules or blocks may be repositioned
without departing from the scope of the present invention. For
example, the device 28 and/or the switch plate 30 may include
magnets or be magnetized. Still further, although depicted in a
particular manner, any number of modules and connections can be
utilized with the present invention in order to accomplish the
present invention, to provide additional known features to the
present invention and/or to make the present invention more
efficient. For example, in situations where a non-magnetic wall box
is used, springs may be manually adjusted to ensure that when one
or more magnets are placed the non-magnetic wall box, the force
exerted by the magnets against a non-magnetic surface of the wall
box is sufficient to hold the base plate 10, the device 28, and the
switch plate 30, securely in place within the wall box. Also,
information sent between various modules (including the device 28
and the switch plate 30), may be transmitted between the modules
via a wireless source, a wired source and/or a plurality of
protocols.
Obviously, many other modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The
specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative, and
are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention in any
manner. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of
the disclosed concept, the invention may be practiced otherwise
than as specifically described.
* * * * *